5.3-Magnitude Quake Jolts Islamabad and KP Cities
A 5.3-magnitude earthquake shook Islamabad and several cities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Wednesday night, prompting residents in affected areas to rush outdoors as tremors were felt across a wide belt of northern Pakistan.
According to the Seismological Centre, the quake was recorded at a depth of 174 kilometres, with its epicentre located in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan. The tremors were reported in Islamabad as well as Peshawar, Kurram, Mardan, Buner, Swat, Shangla, Charsadda and Lower Dir.
The earthquake caused panic in residential and commercial areas, particularly in cities where people have recently experienced repeated seismic activity. Initial reports suggested that the shaking was strong enough to be felt across multiple districts, but authorities did not immediately confirm any loss of life or major property damage.
A spokesperson for Rescue 1122 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa said emergency response teams had been placed on alert to deal with any possible situation. Rescue and local administration officials were expected to keep monitoring reports from vulnerable and mountainous areas where structural damage can sometimes emerge after initial assessments.
The Hindu Kush region is one of the most active seismic zones affecting Pakistan, Afghanistan and adjoining areas. Earthquakes originating deep beneath this belt are often felt across northern Pakistan because of the region’s tectonic activity and the movement of fault lines linked to the Indian and Eurasian plates.
Pakistan has faced several damaging earthquakes in the past, including the 2005 disaster that devastated parts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. That history has kept earthquake preparedness, building safety and public awareness as major concerns for communities living in high-risk zones.
The latest tremors came only days after a 5.7-magnitude earthquake was reported across parts of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu and Kashmir on June 27. That earlier quake also triggered fear among residents and briefly disrupted public activity in several areas.
For Pakistan, repeated tremors highlight the need for stronger disaster readiness at district level. Emergency services, schools, hospitals, apartment buildings and public offices require clear evacuation procedures so that panic does not increase risk during seismic events.
The immediate priority for authorities is to verify conditions in affected districts and ensure that rescue teams remain prepared in case aftershocks occur. Residents in earthquake-prone areas have been advised to stay cautious, avoid damaged structures and follow official guidance if further tremors are reported.